Ibuprofen treatment for closure of patent ductus arteriosus is not associated with increased risk of neuropathology

Abstract

Ibuprofen is an effective pharmacological intervention for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants and is an alternative to surgical ligation; however, it is not certain whether ibuprofen treatment is associated with adverse effects on the brain. Therefore, this study examined neuropathological outcomes of ibuprofen therapy for a PDA. Fetal baboons were delivered at 125 d of gestation (dg; term ∼185 dg) by caesarean section, given surfactant, and ventilated for 14 d with positive pressure ventilation (PPV). Baboons were randomly allocated to receive either ibuprofen (PPV+ ibuprofen, n = 8) or no therapy (PPV, n = 5). Animals were killed on day 14 and brains assessed fo..